Desmond Bain calls Anthony Black a “game changer” after clutch block against Pistons

Desmond Bane achieved his highest performance since joining Orlando Magicbut it was Anthony BlackThe last defensive stand he decided on Friday night NBA Cup matchup. The The Magic secured a 112–109 victory over the Detroit Pistons to close out East Group B play with a perfect 4–0 record, led by Bain’s 37-point eruption and Black’s game-winning block on Duncan Robinson’s three-point attempt in the final seconds.

Bain set the tone for Orlando all night, finishing with 37 points, eight rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a steal while shooting 13-for-25 from the field and 11-for-12 from the free throw line in 39 minutes. His two-way presence stabilized the Magic during a back-and-forth fourth quarter that featured more momentum.

After the win, Bane praised Black impact and the game that sealed the game.

“That’s what he does. I mean, he changed the game, man,” Bane said. “I think what he can do defensively, his spark goes downhill playing in transition in attack – a really, really, really good young player and I’m glad he’s in our team.”

Anthony Black’s clutch block against the Pistons wins a two-way performance

Black turned in one of the most complete performances of his young career, posting 16 points, four rebounds, four assists and three steals along with a game-tying block. He shot 6-for-17 from the floor, 3-for-6 from the free throw line and 1-for-4 from beyond the arc over 32 minutes, posting a team-high +27 off the bench.

The key block came on a designed action by the Pistons to free up Robinson for a quick look from deep. Black said no realize how cleanly he conducted the competition until the subsequent review of the play.

“I really don’t know. I was just looking at Duncan because they said they were trying to make a play to take him off the rim and hit him so I didn’t see it until I went to the locker room,” Black said. “That was crazy. The ball came off the rim so smooth, but I was just guarding him with my face and I felt him get the ball, just try to get my arm up and shoot.”

Coach Jamal Mosley highlighted Black’s composure and aggressiveness, highlighting his defensive presence from the moment he entered the game.

“Yeah, he did a heck of a job,” Mosley said. “Anthony Black first of all, he played with such a level of aggression and poise and toughness about him tonight. That’s what we continue to need from him. That’s what we’re going to continue to need from him, but I think that last block was huge and we did it without fouling, they didn’t get three to play, I think it was huge.”

Magic’s jump to NBA Cup quarterfinals fueled by Black’s continued rise

The emergence of Black was one of the defining events of Orlando’s early season. The third-year guard is averaging career highs of 13 points, three rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 47.7% from the field and 34.3% from three in 20 games and four starts.

He also discussed the importance of a win over a Pistons team that is among the strongest in the league to start the season. Detroit entered the match with a 15–3 run after the match The Boston Celtics snapped a franchise-record 13-game winning streak in his previous outing.

“Just being tough, you know, we took their runs — they’re a physical team, a tough team, I felt like we got to know them,” Black said. “We brought it to them today, and I think we just did a good job of fighting it, staying the course, weathering the storm and then making big plays down the stretch like Wendell, Dez and then those free throws to seal the game.”

Orlando’s win secured their spot in the The quarterfinals of the NBA Cup, where the Magic will host the Miami Heat (13-6) on Dec. 9 at the Kia Center.

“Super happy, you know, last year we went to Milwaukee and played a game that we felt we should have won, so it’s definitely another opportunity for us to come out, play in bed, play a big game, playoff style, and just see what we got, try to get to Vegas,” Black said.

With the win, the Magic improved to 12–8 on the season. They return home to begin a four-game homestand against the Chicago Bulls (9-9) on Monday night.